Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Happy Blogiversary!!!

I can't believe that it's been an entire year since I began this little blog. I've been through an awful lot since beginning it, that's for sure. The Cutest Little House in Town blog began as a chronicle of my experiences as a first time home owner... keeping track of every home update and every garden tip throughout the year. Apparently, those tips were all worth while because now someone new is loving that cute little house. Since then, this blog has evolved to hopes and dreams for my future home along with the occasional recipe or two. One day, hopefully sooner than later, I will have another cute little house to blog about. Until then.....

Just keep blogging, just keep blogging... what do we do? We blog, blog, blog!

In the meantime, I have a true first to share with you. Today was the very first time I peeled an apple in one complete piece. Check out the pic! I have proof! In honor of my blogiversary, I made a delicious apple cake. This is by far my absolute favorite recipe and it deserves a second posting. Enjoy!

Preheat oven to 350 (340 works better in mine, play around with what you like). Lightly grease a 10-inch tube pan with a removable bottom.

Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl.

Cream the butter, oil, sugar, and vanilla in a medium-size mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended, about 2 minutes. Stop to scrape the bowl twice with a rubber spatula.

Add the eggs one at a time, and mix on medium-low speed after each addition until blended, 10 seconds. Scrap the bowl each time. Once the eggs are added, mix again for 10 seconds.

Add half the dry ingredients and blend on low speed for 15 seconds. Scrap the bowl, add the rest of the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until blended, about 5 seconds more.

Add the apples with a few turns of the mixer.

Spoon the batter into the pan and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar over the top. Bake the cake on the center oven rack until the top is firm and golden and a toothpick inserted at the cake's highest point comes out dry, about 1 hour and 5 minutes.

About Me

Welcome to my blog. This is the spot where I store creative ideas, recipes, books, gardening schemes, and other sundry things that pass through my home. I hope that you like what you find and use some of my ideas to make your own cute little house!